JOHANNESBURG. 14 August 2008. South African Airways (SAA) remains close to the hearts of travellers, evidenced by a growing number of awards the airline has received. This week, SAA received awards for the Best Airline in Africa and Best Cabin Crew in Africa as well clinching first prize in the domestic airline category of the Sunday Times Top Brands survey.

“We are incredibly proud of the recognition we have received, and would like to thank all of our valued passengers for their loyalty and ongoing support,” says SAA CEO Khaya Ngqula.

The awards for Best Airline in Africa and Best Cabin Crew in Africa were received in the latest World Airline Awards, which are based on the annual World Airline Survey by British aviation experts Skytrax. The awards are recognised around the world and the survey is renowned for being a truly global, independent passenger survey of airline standards, with an estimated 15-million passengers interviewed worldwide. The Skytrax survey measures over 35 different aspects of passenger satisfaction for an airline’s product and service standards, so it is a key measurement of passenger satisfaction levels of airlines around the world.

SAA also maintained its position in the Sunday Times Top Brands survey as the best airline operating in the local market, and was named as the runner-up in the category for international airlines at this prestigious annual award ceremony, held last night.

The Sunday Times Top Brands survey is an annual survey where South Africans get to choose their favourite brands, including who they think the top local airline is. The three categories dealt with in the survey are the spontaneous awareness of brands; the level of trust and confidence that is placed in the brand; and the commitment towards the brand.

“The brand South African Airways is well loved by all South Africans. We appreciate the strong emotional bond our customers feel with us. With their support and the strength of a nation behind us, we are confident and positive about our future.

“We thank our customers for the value they place in us and their approval of our restructuring process which has shown positive results in turning the airline around. Our restructuring initiatives and customer service improvements will go a long way towards us keeping our prized place as the best airline in South Africa, and in Africa,” says Dr Ngqula.

To top this achievement, Mango, SAA’s low cost subsidiary, was named as Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa in the World Airline Survey, and climbed three places in the Sunday Times Top Brands survey to fourth place.